What is a layer ?

klinky · Post by **klinky** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 3:24 am

Ha but no actually. !!!

I was asked this question when trying out for a certain tech support team at my old job. This team is a "industry leader in Audio, Video and Still Image Multimedia Design & Production!!!" OMG and many of you use it's products. I can't tell you who tho >_> since I don't know. Fuck it was for Adobe, fuck that.

Anyways it was doing Techsupport for Adobe.

Eh hem.. My old supervisor was transfered over there to head the team. The Adobe team = big $$

So big, the Adobe people got both a PC and a Mac at their desk. I think Adobe paid for all their computers. Since Stream had a tendancy to give out shit computers to other teams that couldn't hope to run the latest adobe apps(P2 333's here

).

Anyways!!! I was like "I make AMVs, I mess with Photoshop, I've drawn stick figures about this supervisor(these were funny mind you and he enjoyed them :p), I should go apply.". So I did and he asked me some questions about images and stuff.

Then!! he asked me "Describe what a layer is with out actually using the word layer.". Fuck >_<! I forget how I described it, but I sorta had a brain freeze.

So all you A/V wizards, or well maybe not wizards >_>. Describe what a layer is with out actually using the word layer. Describe it in the way you would to you would explain to your mom after she just installed Photoshop. >_> Though I wouldn't let my mom near MS paint with a five foot pole(I am so abusive >_<), much less Photoshop.

Define what a layer is without using the word 'layer':

Rozard · Post by **Rozard** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 3:37 am

A layer works the same way as tracing paper. You have several sheets stacked on top of each other, each with different drawings. You can select one sheet and a time and draw/erase/color how you see fit, and it doesn't affect the other sheets. Not only can you select one sheet at a time to edit, but you can arrange the order of the the stach to how you see fit.

Is that a little too wordy?

klinky · Post by **klinky** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 3:46 am

I was just thinking just now:

"Layers allow for manipulation of multiple images 'overlayed'(isn't that sneaky, actually I think I break the rules right there[color]) on top each other, with out them directly affecting each other"

I don't think that's it, I cheated as well. >_> I think it was a trick question.

Damn that bastard supervisor. We had a iffy relationship later on... Grrrr

~klinky

klinky · Post by **klinky** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 3:47 am

bbCode is a stupid whore that breaks up homes and destroys the family unit..

Mr Pilkington · Post by **Mr Pilkington** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 11:04 am

klinky wrote:bbCode is a stupid whore that breaks up homes and destroys the family unit..

No your thinking of EverCrack

I just tell people who ask me the same question:
"a layer is a series of images. Plain and simple. Each cel is set atop one another to form a whole image. Much like an animator in a studio would do. There you have a background picture, foreground, and motion or character. One the character cell is set atop the foreground cel and then set upon the backgound cell it makes a complete picture. Photo software works the same way. You are given a background cel. With that you make all initial decisions and changes based upon how you wish to emphsize the coming portrait. The the main cel. But this is when the true magic behing editing begins. The main layer can be coppied to make new cels, which can be used to do a number of magnificant things, with glows or ripples you can create shadows and/or refections. Or go wit a totally blank cel to create higlighing graphics. Graphities are awonderful way to highlight text. So henceforth image editing is not just the simple manipulation of one picture. It takes a series of cels to come up with a true great picture."

This can go longer or shorter based on the audience. Generally I'm lucky to get past line 3 before they want to buy something just to shut me up. But that's the fun in being a businessman.

Piss 'em and don't pipe down till they've paid.

MMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Income-licious

RadicalEd0 · Post by **RadicalEd0** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 12:43 pm

a layer is a separate overlay on the image which acts as a completely separate image, allowing you to draw or add things over top of the background picture. Any number of these 'overlays' can be stacked up to make highly customizable and tweakable image files.

:\

jonmartensen · Post by **jonmartensen** » Tue Feb 18, 2003 9:56 pm

klinky wrote:bbCode is a stupid whore that breaks up homes and destroys the family unit..

Curse you BBcode